Jan 1, 2018, 1:30 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
AA/US Domestic Dining (including Canada, Mexico, & the Caribbean)
See here for the 2019 domestic meal thread.
Note: this thread is about meals served on domestic AA flights.
Link to Combined 2018 AA International Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)
There is another thread for the contingent that wishes to debate and discuss linens as a primary subject, including related presentation issues: Linens / presentation debate for meal service on AA, US / both.
PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST. /Moderators
Welcome to the 2018 Domestic Dining thread and the resulting discussion/trip reports/photos/shared experiences. Here, in this wiki post, I'll strive to explain what you should expect on AA flights in First and Business, meals-wise. Keep in mind that there are many domestic flights, so there are quite a few parameters to keep track of.
Basically, in its best condensed form, you should expect to receive a meal between 4:59am - 8pm on flights longer than 900 miles, which equals about two hours in the air. From that point, there are exceptions, and specific timing parameters.
What to Expect - Mainline:
Keep in mind that this list is not entirely inclusive, and there may be certain exceptions and/or abnormalities.
- Up to 699 miles: Light snacks such as a fig bar, cookies, and/or pretzels
- 700-899 miles: Warmed nuts, a snack plate (fruit/cheese, pita/hummus, or spinach dip/pita), and a cookie
- 900-1298 miles: A meal (fruit/breakfast entree; salad/entree) followed by a cookie; no meals between 1:30-4pm
- 1298-2199 miles: A full meal including an appetizer, with cake for lunch desserts and premade ice-cream for dinner desserts
- 2200 miles and above: Same as 1298-2199 miles, but consists of made-to-order sundaes or a cheese plate for both lunch and dinner desserts
What to Expect - Regional:
Keep in mind that this list is not entirely inclusive, and there may be certain exceptions and/or abnormalities.
- Up to 175 miles: A light snack mix along with beverage service
- 176-899 miles: Sweet and savory, organic/healthy snack choices (snack basket)
- 900-2199 miles: Warm mixed nuts, two meal options, and dessert. (For flights over 2200 miles, you will receive the same selection of snacks from 176-899 miles as a pre-arrival snack. All regional meal flights leaving after 8:00pm will also receive sweet and savory snacks as the only option. Editor's note: A regional jet for 2000+ miles? Hope that never happens!)
All of the meal flights that fall under the above timing parameters will receive two choices; normally, one meat and one vegetarian.
Longer westbound flights leaving from the east coast (transcontinental; non-premium) are not officially exceptions, but some flights after 8pm receive a full dinner service (such as the 8:05pm MIA-SAN flight, or the 8:30pm PHL-LAS flight). Additionally, non-premium transcontinental red-eye flights will receive snack basket service upon departure, then a continental breakfast box prior to arrival.
Official Exceptions:
The following flights all fall under 900 miles, but will receive a full meal service, with the exception of flights leaving between 1:31-4pm. Despite some of the listed flights being over 900 miles, they are remaining listed here, based on the AA website for documentation purposes.
- Chicago (ORD) - AUS/BDL/BOS/DCA/EWR/JFK/LGA/MSY/RDU
- Dallas (DFW) - BJX/ORD/MEX/QRO/SLP
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - PAP
- Los Angeles (LAX) - DEN
- Miami (MIA) - DCA/IAD/PAP
- New York (LGA) - ATL
- Phoenix (PHX) - MZT
Additional Information:
- JFK-LAX/SFO; MIA-LAX are considered premium transcontinental flights, and as such, receives a more refined service with three meal choices, per-course service, printed menus, and tray/tablecloth linens in both F/J. Those flights now are the only domestic flights in the system to offer special meals as another option (which can be reserved by either preordering online, or calling). Red-eye flights will receive a full "supper/snack" meal service, which is basically a condensed dinner service.
- Hawaiian meal service is very similar to what you'd expect on 2200+ mile flights, but there also will be Hawaiian rolls served, along with a pre-arrival continental breakfast/snack (dependent on the length of the route). Tropical warmed nuts are also currently served.
- All flights over 700 miles, regardless of a meal being served or not, will receive warm mixed nuts and a cookie.
Disclaimer: The editor of this Wiki does not guarantee the information presented above will always be accurate or properly followed by AA, given catering mishaps, irregular operations, rogue crews, or mismanagement. For the best up-to-date information, it would be prudent to check AA's website constantly for any updates, or call AA. The editors of this Wiki will keep this Wiki updated as often as possible.
ARCHIVE: 2018 AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)
Jan 23, 2018, 7:24 pm
#61
Join Date: May 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, AA MM, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 122
LAX-JFK Lunch F
- Quinoa and Barley Pilaf
With kale, grilled artichokes and red pepper sauce - Beef Quesadilla
With guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo - Sweet Chili Seared Red Snapper
shishito pepper pesto, Thai fried rice, mixed vegetables
Jan 23, 2018, 9:21 pm
#62
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 107
According to their orphaned dining page on the brazil site, it's the same as regular.
**Full meals are served on departures between 5 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sweet and savory snacks are served on departures after 8:01 p.m.
Jan 24, 2018, 8:49 am
#63
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: California
Programs: AA Gold.
Posts: 158
What do people generally find to be the most appetizing of the special meals? I'm leaning towards Asian Vegetarian or Kosher but I've never ordered a special dietary meal before. I'm a steak, chicken, noodle or pasta kind of guy so not too big on seafood if that helps. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Google "aa asian vegetarian meal onemileatatime" and you will see a review from the 15th
Jan 24, 2018, 7:31 pm
#64
Join Date: May 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, AA MM, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 122
Jan 25, 2018, 8:11 pm
#65
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, CC Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 434
HNL to DFW
- Hoisin Glazed Beef Short Rib Hoisin Glazed Beef Short Rib for HNL to DFW
With wasabi mashed potatoes, baby bok choy and baby carrots - Kabocha Shiitake Risotto Kabocha Shiitake Risotto HNL to DFW
With sautéed kabocha squash and shiitake mushrooms - Ginger Garlic Glazed Salmon Ginger Garlic Glazed Salmon for HNL to DFW
kimchi pork fried rice, sugar snap peas, grilled onion
Jan 28, 2018, 3:13 am
#66
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: BA, SW, IAG
Posts: 143
Hi,
I am flying a one stop BA ticket LHR to RSW with an AA flight PHL- RSW. Leaves at 8:24 pm. Flying 1st, 2c.
Will i get dinner, a snack plate or drink nuts and cookie?
I need to know if I have to eat in the PHL terminal. Flight gets in near 11:30pm and will have to hit the road for a 1 hr 20 min drive. No shops open that late to grab a snack.
I am flying a one stop BA ticket LHR to RSW with an AA flight PHL- RSW. Leaves at 8:24 pm. Flying 1st, 2c.
Will i get dinner, a snack plate or drink nuts and cookie?
I need to know if I have to eat in the PHL terminal. Flight gets in near 11:30pm and will have to hit the road for a 1 hr 20 min drive. No shops open that late to grab a snack.
Jan 28, 2018, 12:47 pm
#67
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 45
So I’m curious. I noticed when booking my ticket from Chicago to Fort Myers that none of the PHL-RSW flights serve meals, yet the flight I chose through Dallas includes a full lunch (despite being a 2:30 pm departure). So first, why don’t the flights from PHL flights serve any meals / snacks despite being longer than the flights out of DFW? And second, is AA typically serving full meals at at off times now, such as in the case of my flight? The AA website offers no help on the matter anymore.
Jan 28, 2018, 2:46 pm
#68
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
LAX-JFK
LAA A321T
Lunch
PDB of bubbles, OJ, water
These nuts seem different than normal, no?
Starter
Cheesy paper tray liner under the linens
Classy foil ramekin with the main dish
Dessert
LAA A321T
Lunch
PDB of bubbles, OJ, water
These nuts seem different than normal, no?
Starter
Cheesy paper tray liner under the linens
Classy foil ramekin with the main dish
Dessert
Jan 28, 2018, 6:58 pm
#69
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,161
So I’m curious. I noticed when booking my ticket from Chicago to Fort Myers that none of the PHL-RSW flights serve meals, yet the flight I chose through Dallas includes a full lunch (despite being a 2:30 pm departure). So first, why don’t the flights from PHL flights serve any meals / snacks despite being longer than the flights out of DFW? And second, is AA typically serving full meals at at off times now, such as in the case of my flight? The AA website offers no help on the matter anymore.
a) Website glitch. When trying to book, do you see preorder options (<30 days prior to travel)? If options for preordering are listed, then it's likely not a glitch. If it's within 30 days and nothing is listed under preordering options, it could be a glitch.
b) AA treating pmUS routes differently than pmAA routes?
Jan 28, 2018, 7:13 pm
#70
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Jan 29, 2018, 8:45 am
#71
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 45
Could be two possibilities:
a) Website glitch. When trying to book, do you see preorder options (<30 days prior to travel)? If options for preordering are listed, then it's likely not a glitch. If it's within 30 days and nothing is listed under preordering options, it could be a glitch.
b) AA treating pmUS routes differently than pmAA routes?
a) Website glitch. When trying to book, do you see preorder options (<30 days prior to travel)? If options for preordering are listed, then it's likely not a glitch. If it's within 30 days and nothing is listed under preordering options, it could be a glitch.
b) AA treating pmUS routes differently than pmAA routes?
Last edited by TheFlyGuy1992; Jan 29, 2018 at 8:55 am
Jan 29, 2018, 9:57 am
#72
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: BA, SW, IAG
Posts: 143
But what will i get from my post 66?
Or is this the wrong forum?
Or is this the wrong forum?
Jan 29, 2018, 10:10 am
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487
All the information you need to figure out what you'll get is in the Wiki first post.
"Basically, in its best condensed form, you should expect to receive a meal between 4:59am - 8pm on flights longer than 900 miles"
If you are meal eligible then it will show when you log into the trip on AA.com. You will not be able to see the options until you are within 30 days of travel.
"Basically, in its best condensed form, you should expect to receive a meal between 4:59am - 8pm on flights longer than 900 miles"
If you are meal eligible then it will show when you log into the trip on AA.com. You will not be able to see the options until you are within 30 days of travel.
Jan 29, 2018, 11:57 am
#74
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,161
That's another option I haven't considered. While DL and UA are cutting back on their F meals, hopefully AA is bucking the trend and expanding... I just wish their website had more information and specific meal windows, to set expectations better.
Jan 29, 2018, 1:46 pm
#75